Trackside: Steve Sherack’s Tuesday Morning BC Report

With the San Gabriel mountains providing a spectacular backdrop, there was no shortage of Breeders’ Cup runners stretching their legs on a picturesque Tuesday morning at Santa Anita. 

Sir Michael Stoute’s imposing duo of Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Dank (GB) (Dansili {GB}) quietly made their way along the outer rail for their first appearance after clearing quarantine shortly after 7:30 a.m. Juddmonte homebredCommemorative (GB) (Zamindar) followed suit as the blinding sun continued to rise near the clubhouse turn. With the main track now closed for a renovation break, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s G2 Hardwicke hero and London Thoroughbred Service’s defending GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Turf heroine took a spin on the turf course while a large contingent of other high-profile runners began to gather by the gap. 

Bob Baffert chief assistant Jimmy Barnes kept a close eye on Kaleem Shah’s Bayern (Offlee Wild) and Fed Biz (Giant’s Causeway) from aboard a stable pony while trainer Dallas Stewart walked GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff longshotUnbridled Forever (Unbridled’s Song) onto the track. Defending GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and 6-5 morning line favorite Goldencents (Into Mischief) certainly didn’t need pink wraps to stand out from the bunch as he looked his usual handsome self. Breeders’ Cup Classic longshot Imperative (Bernardini) made a nice impression while circling the gate by the chute as did morning-line GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies favorite Angela Renee (Bernardini). 

With conditioner Mike Hushion watching from the apron, the streaking New York-bred Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler) really stole the show Tuesday morning. The GII Gallant Bloom H. heroine couldn’t have looked any better entering the track with her neck arched as the floodgates re-opened shortly before 8 a.m. 

The blaze-faced Tourist (Tiznow) immediately caught the eye as he galloped by as well. While it remains to be seen how Dirt Mile entrant Big Bane Theory (Artie Schiller) handles the surface switch Friday, one thing is for certain. The stunning bay couldn’t be feeling any better and sported a very nice bounce in his step. 

Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens held court near Clocker’s Corner as he readies to make a much anticipated return to the saddle this weekend. Trainer Chad Brown, owner Arnold Zetcher, retired Hall of Fame rider Jerry Bailey and track announcer Larry Collmus were amongst the long list of well-wishers. 

The popular G2 UAE Derby winner and GI TVG Pacific Classic runner-up Toast of New York (Thewayyouare) seemed to be getting over the surface just fine as he gears up for his first attempt on dirt in the Classic. The same, however, can’t be said for fellow European Wind Fire (Distorted Humor). With all 13 of his prior career attempts coming on grass, the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint longshot didn’t corner well around the home bend and received several taps of the persuader from regular rider Claire Murray throughout the stretch as he continued to misbehave. 

West Point Thoroughbreds’ and NYTHA President candidate Terry Finley was spotted taking in the action from the second floor of the Trackside Breakfast Marquee. Twilight Eclipse (Purim) will carry the yellow-and-black West Point silks for the second straight year in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf. Highclere’s Harry Herbert, trainers Charles Hills and Dale Romans, and Donegal principal Jerry Crawford were also on hand at the Marquee Tuesday. 

Brown didn’t let Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) or Dayatthespa (City Zip) out of his sight as the loose horse siren blared throughout the grandstand shortly after 9 a.m. while Baffert made his rounds as Twitterverse blew up with the unfortunate news of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)’s late defection from the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. 

With training hours winding down, Donegal’s Puca (Big Brown)–tabbed as a “TDN Rising Star” following a 16-length maiden win at Belmont Oct. 1–was ponied to the track by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. If Tuesday’s gallop was any indication, it may be a good idea to include the bay on your tickets for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

(Click here for Tuesday’s photo page from Santa Anita).